Reading - Principle 5 (Clarify Complexity)

Principle 5 - Clarify Complexity

  1. Complexity is a paradox
    1. Capture viewer's attention/Stimulate their interest
    2. Curiosity aroused to certain point
  2. Complexity is depicted by
    1. Infographics
    2. Animated Segments
    3. Exhibits
    4. Instructional Graphics
    5. Procedural/Assembly Instructions
    6. Article Accompaniments
  3. Objective Complexity
    1. Properties inherent in:
      1. System
      2. Information
      3. Task
  4. Subjective Complexity
    1. Based on individual perception
    2. Relates to a persons:
      1. Skills
      2. Knowledge
      3. Ability
  5. Explaining Complex Concepts
    1. Often results in visually complex
      1. Information rich
      2. Increased deficit
        1. Patterns
        2. Shapes
        3. Text
        4. Color
        5. Density
        6. Diversity of elements
    2. Takes longer to search
    3. Most effective when designers clarify rather than simplify
  6. Cognitive & Complexity
    1. Rely on previous knowledge
      1. Perform cognitive tasks
      2. Assimilate new info
    2. "Explanations help dissolve cognitive dissonance"
    3. More info equals more cognitive load
    4. Gradually build schemas into larger entities in working memory to have more
      available simultaneously
    5. Building accurate mental models
      1. Coherency
        1. Consistant logic makes explanation meaningful
        2. Cause & effect
        3. Designers aid coherency by
          1. Unifying graphics visually and logically
          2. Cleaning up order of information
          3. Limiting extraneous information
  7. Context
    1. Framework within new information
    2. What to expect/not expect
    3. Guides viewers attention
  8. Applying the principle
    1. Clearly convey meaning w/o overwhelming
    2. Visual approaches
      1. Segment into smaller units
      2. Expose parts/components normally hidden
      3. Reveal structure of information (inherent)
  9. Segments & Sequences
    1. Organize information into beginning, middle, and an end
      1. Thoughtful restraint
      2. Controlled logic
    2. All at once, less comprehension
    3. Segmentation is a natural cognitive strategy used to decompose
    4. Ensure viewer gets holistic view while viewing segments
      1. Depict big picture view
      2. Introduce overriding concept at start
      3. Provide visual continuity
      4. Slowly build previous segment
      5. Direct viewer's eyes
    5. Sequencing is chronological order
      1. Procedure
      2. Set of steps
      3. Cause & effect
      4. Principles build on each other
      5. Top to bottom or left to right
  10. Specialized views
    1. Reveal what is physically hidden
      1. Cutaways
      2. Magnifications
      3. Other interior views
    2. When needing to apply knowledge, use increased realism
    3. Interior views
      1. Cutaways
      2. Cross sections
      3. Transparents views
    4. Exploded views
      1. Cannot be seen w/standard interior view
      2. Show how it fits together
      3. Flow-lines can indicate parts
    5. Magnification
      1. Level of detail, fine-tuned
      2. Pulled away from main illustration
      3. Use lines, arrows, or zoom effect to connect to main illustration
  11. Implied motion
    1. Important for
      1. Workings of a machine
      2. Product assembly
      3. Human movement
      4. Unseen forces
    2. Techniques
      1. Motion lines
        1. Streaking lines behind object
      2. Stroboscopic movement
        1. Progression of images
      3. Action arrows
        1. Often curved
      4. Motion blur
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